Too often, Stockwell has played bridesmaid to showier neighbours in the form of Brixton, Clapham and Vauxhall. But this area has a character all of its own, along with some beautiful properties and a frankly amazing location.

One of the best things about the area is Little Portugal, an area populated by some of London’s Portuguese community, many of whom have opened restaurants and cafés, meaning you can spend your Saturday’s bar-hopping while drinking vino verde and eating pastel de natas. There are worse ways to spend the day.

Or you can take a turn around Myatt’s Fields Park, and see if there are any events on at the charming Victorian grandstand. And if you do want or need to leave the area, you’re spoiled for choice with easy access to the Northern and Victoria Tube lines, and countless buses. Still hungry? The Canton Arms is a brilliant pub that’s at once cozy and welcoming and boasts a truly delicious menu with must-haves like seven-hour salt marsh lamb shoulder, potato and olive oil gratin, Essex Coast hake, roast Jerusalem artichokes, hazelnuts, Pumpkin ribolita, ricotta and parmesan.

Property wise ​​Stockwell has wonderful secret garden squares and sweeping crescents of classically designed early Victorian villas in conservation areas. An interesting fact about the area is that it was home to Van Gogh for a period while he worked in London for an art dealer. A pen and ink sketch of 87 Hackford Road, by the artist, hung in the Tate Britain’s Van Gogh and Britain exhibition.

However, these houses in iconic locations like Durand Square, Albert Square, and Stockwell Park Crescent rarely come to market, and residents often have notes popped through their doors directly from prospective buyers. But there’s also a range of mansion flats in the area, with high, bright rooms and tonnes of period features. There are nearby new build developments in Keybridge and Nine Elms Point, and BRX. The area has good staying power with many families staying for a long time, thanks to the character, community, and location of Stockwell.

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